• METANOIA means the JOURNEY to CHANGE one’s MIND, HEART, SELF or WAY of LIFE

  • Providing Online Counseling or Teletherapy for Colorado

    Let's connect online
    Free 15-Minute Consultation 719-357-8580

  • Metanoia LLC

    My WordPress Blog

    • Home
    • About
    • Services
      • Telehealth
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • Medical Supportive therapy for Chronic/Acute Health Care Issues/Chronic pain
      • Life Transitions
      • Therapy for Depression
      • Therapy for Anxiety
      • Walk-and-Talk Therapy
    • Getting Started
      • FAQs
      • Rates and Insurance
      • Client Forms
      • Appointment Request
    • Resources
      • Older Adult/Caregiver Resources
      • Mental Health Links
      • Physical Health Links
    • Contact
    • Blog
    • Client Portal

    How to Support a Loved One Through a Panic Attack

    April 2, 2024

    Do you have a friend or family member who regularly experiences panic attacks? If so, you may be looking for ways to recognize when these attacks are taking place and offer your support. We’ve got the answers you need below. How to Recognize a Panic Attack Even if you’ve experienced panic attacks yourself, it can […]

    Read More

    How to Support a Loved One Through a Panic Attack

    April 2, 2024

    Do you have a friend or family member who regularly experiences panic attacks? If so, you may be looking for ways to recognize when these attacks are taking place and offer your support. We’ve got the answers you need below.

    How to Recognize a Panic Attack

    Even if you’ve experienced panic attacks yourself, it can be difficult to tell when someone around you is having one. Your loved one may be experiencing a panic attack if:

    • They’re flushed, sweating, or otherwise appear to be hot (for example, they might have taken off an outer layer of clothing).
    • They’re shivering or shaking.
    • They’re hyperventilating or having trouble breathing.
    • They suddenly went quiet.

    How to Help Someone During a Panic Attack

    If you think that a friend or family member might be having a panic attack, it’s important to stay calm and treat them gently. You may want to:

    • Reassure them that they’re safe, the panic attack will be over soon, and you’ll stay with them in the meantime.
    • Guide them through breathing exercises.
    • Take them outside or open a window so they can get some fresh air.
    • Take them to a more private place.
    • Bring them a glass of water.

    If your loved one frequently has panic attacks, you may want to ask them when they’re feeling calmer about how they’d like to be supported in the future.

    Get Help With Your Loved One’s Panic Attacks

    If you have a friend or family member who regularly experiences panic attacks, we encourage you to meet with one of the knowledgeable therapists at our practice. We have extensive experience treating panic attacks, and we can supply you with tools and tips for how to support your loved one. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

    Filed Under: panic attacks

    Understanding Panic Disorder

    October 11, 2023

    If you’ve had at least four panic attacks and you regularly worry that you’ll experience another one, you may have panic disorder. In some cases, this type of anxiety can make it difficult for people to leave their home, since they may worry about when and where their next panic attack will occur. What Does […]

    Read More

    Understanding Panic Disorder

    October 11, 2023

    If you’ve had at least four panic attacks and you regularly worry that you’ll experience another one, you may have panic disorder. In some cases, this type of anxiety can make it difficult for people to leave their home, since they may worry about when and where their next panic attack will occur.

    What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?

    Panic attacks cause someone to feel an overwhelming sense of fear. During one of these attacks, you may experience:

    • Trembling and shaking
    • Numbness
    • Hot flashes or chills
    • Sweating
    • Lightheadedness and dizziness
    • A pounding heartbeat
    • Chest pain
    • Shortness of breath
    • A choking sensation
    • Nausea and stomach pain
    • Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying
    • A sensation of being disconnected or unreal

    While some panic attacks subside within just a few minutes, others last for more than an hour. Depending on the frequency, duration, and severity of panic attacks, panic disorder can sometimes become disabling, preventing someone from holding a job and engaging in other regular activities.

    How Is Panic Disorder Treated?

    Treatment for panic disorder varies from one person to another, and a trained provider can recommend the approach that’s most appropriate for your specific needs. With that said, panic disorder treatment often involves:

    • Taking medication (e.g., anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant medication)
    • Attending counseling
    • Learning coping skills and relaxation techniques

    Offering Help With Anxiety Disorders

    Our team has extensive experience treating various types of anxiety, including panic disorder, so if you need assistance, contact us today. We’ll be glad to schedule a therapy session at a date and time of your choosing. We look forward to helping you take the first step toward managing your anxiety.

    Filed Under: panic attacks, panic disorder

    5 Ways to Stop Panic Attacks

    April 7, 2023

    If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know firsthand the name is apropos. Within seconds you can go from feeling quite well and “ordinary” to experiencing absolute dread and fear. And often with no obvious trigger. It’s a horrible way to live. But you don’t have to live feeling like a helpless victim of […]

    Read More

    5 Ways to Stop Panic Attacks

    April 7, 2023

    If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know firsthand the name is apropos. Within seconds you can go from feeling quite well and “ordinary” to experiencing absolute dread and fear. And often with no obvious trigger. It’s a horrible way to live.

    But you don’t have to live feeling like a helpless victim of these attacks. Here are some powerful ways you can stop panic attacks in their tracks:

    1. Recognize What’s Happening

    If, in the moment, you can recognize that you are having a panic attack and not a heart attack, you can begin to instantly calm yourself at the realization this is temporary. It will pass and you will be okay. And once you gain a little bit of calm, you can employ further techniques.

    2. Deep Breathing

    Hyperventilating is a common symptoms of a panic attack. Breathing in an erratic pattern tends to make the attack intensify.

    Conversely, deep breathing can reduce the symptoms of a panic attack and bring you back to a state of calm. Breathing slowly and deeply signals to the rest of your body that the “threat” is gone and you can get out of “fight or flight” mode.

    3. Close Your Eyes

    Some people can become triggered by things in their environment. If this happens to you and you find yourself in a fast-paced environment with too much stimuli becoming overwhelmed, close your eyes while taking some deep, slow, full breaths.

    4. Practice Mindfulness

    Panic attacks tend to cause a feeling of detachment or separation from reality. Mindfulness meditation is powerful because it can help you stay fully present in the here and now. In addition, the practice of meditation has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety.

    5. Get Help

    Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other mental health treatments have been shown to help people suffering with panic attacks. CBT sessions can happen in private, in groups, and even online.

    If you are interested in exploring treatment options, please get in touch with me. I’m here to help and answer any questions you may have.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-a-panic-attack

    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321510

    https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-stop-a-panic-attack-5202930

    Filed Under: panic attacks

    Online Only

    719-357-8580

    Schedule An Appointment

    Contact Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

    Metanoia LLC
    719-357-8580

    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    Copyright © 2025 - Brighter Vision